Lemon Basil Pasta Salad Recipe
A refreshing and vibrant Lemon Basil Pasta Salad featuring orzo pasta, marinated artichokes, fresh peas, zucchini, and a zesty lemon-basil dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for warm weather meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 16 ounces orzo pasta
- 12 ounces marinated artichokes, drained
- 1 cup fresh peas (or frozen)
- 1 zucchini, cut into matchsticks
Lemon and Herbs
- 1 lemon, zested
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 cup basil leaves, roughly chopped
- ½ teaspoon oregano
Seasoning and Dressing
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions, about 8 minutes until al dente. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pasta directly into a large bowl. Rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
- Cook the Peas: In the same pasta water, cook the peas for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool them down.
- Prepare Vegetables and Herbs: While the pasta cooks, cut the zucchini into thin strips and then matchsticks. Drain the marinated artichokes. Roughly chop the basil leaves. Add the zucchini, artichokes, and basil into the bowl with the orzo.
- Lemon Preparation: Zest one lemon and squeeze the juice of half the lemon into the bowl. Adjust lemon juice to taste depending on how bright you want the salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and oregano until well combined.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together until evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Serve the pasta salad chilled or at room temperature with extra lemon wedges on the side for added zest.
Notes
- Use frozen peas if fresh are unavailable; just ensure they are cooked and cooled properly.
- Adjust lemon juice according to your taste preference for acidity.
- This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making it great for meal prep.
- Substitute orzo with any small pasta shape like ditalini or small shells if preferred.
- For a vegan version, ensure marinated artichokes contain no animal products; no other animal ingredients are used.
Keywords: lemon basil pasta salad, orzo salad, summer pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad, easy pasta salad
Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/lemon-basil-pasta-salad-recipe/
